title: Effects of a predefined mini-trampoline training programme on balance, mobility and activities of daily living after stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of a predefined mini-trampoline therapy programme for increasing postural control, mobility and the ability to perform activities of daily living after stroke.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized non-blinded controlled pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Neurological rehabilitation hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-time stroke; age 18-80 years; independent standing ability for a minimum of 2 minutes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomized into two groups: the mini-trampoline group (n = 20) received 10 sessions of balance training using the mini-trampoline over three weeks. The patients of the control group (n =20) participated 10 times in a group balance training also over three weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postural control (Berg Balance Scale, BBS), mobility and gait endurance (timed 'up and go' test, TUG; 6-minute walk test, 6MWT) and the ability to perform activities of daily living (Barthel Index, BI). Measurements were undertaken prior to and after the intervention period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Both groups were comparable before the study. The mini-trampoline group improved significantly more in the BBS (P = 0.003) compared to the control group. Mean or median differences of both groups showed improvements in the TUG 10.12 seconds/7.23 seconds, the 6MWT 135 m/75 m and the BI 20 points/13 points for the mini-trampoline and control group, respectively. These outcome measurements did not differ significantly between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A predefined mini-trampoline training programme resulted in significantly increased postural control in stroke patients compared to balance training in a group. Although not statistically significant, the mini-trampoline training group showed increased improvement in mobility and activities of daily living. These differences could have been statistically significant if we had investigated more patients (i.e. a total sample of 84 patients for the TUG, 98 patients for the 6MWT, and 186 patients for the BI).
authors.affiliation: Neurologische Klinik Bad Neustadt/Saale, Rhoen Klinikum, Bad Neustadt/Saale, Germany. claudia.miklitsch@web.de
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miklitsch
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krewer
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Freivogel
authors.forename: Diethard
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Steube
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D010807:Physical Endurance; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Balance training; postural control; rehabilitation; stroke; trampoline